Around 18,000 people are thought to have flocked to the first Teesside airshow in 26 years - and organisers say it will definitely be back next year.

The legendary Red Arrows thundered through the Teesside sky at the inaugural Skylive Airshow.

The sun shone down on at Durham Tees Valley Airport, as flight fans young and old watched in astonishment at displays from both modern jet fighters and World War Two planes - including the legendary Spitfire.

Organiser Chris Petty said the event had been two years in the making, but has vowed bring back next year - only “bigger and better”, “We have a long-term plan for the event - this is not a one off,” said Chris, of Skylive Events.

“The first show was always going to be the hardest one to pull off and we knew we had to get this one in, done and to then move on“We will be announcing details of the 2017 event next week.”

He’d hoped to stage the event for the first time last year, but it was postponed in the wake of the Shoreham airshow disaster, in which 11 people died.

However he said it was worth the wait, as huge queues of traffic greeted the opening of the gates just after 9am. One flight fanatic even turned up at 7am to make sure he was the first inside for a glimpse of the displays.

These included spectacular demonstrations from the ear-popping Typhoon.

A huge crowd gathered for a Battle of Britain flyover, with Union Jacks visible in the crowd as the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane planes from World War Two passed over the crowd.

On the ground, crowds were treated to demonstrations from the likes of the Stunt Monkeys daredevil motorbike team, while static vintage planes were dotted around the site.

Families were also entertained by fairground rides and stalls from the various military groups and emergency services.

One of those who enjoyed the fun was 33-year-old Suzane Yates.

The Middlesbrough mum-of-one took her family out for a treat and couldn’t get enough of the event.

“It’s perfect”, said Suzane, of Hemlington. “It has jut got all sorts for the kids,“We have enjoyed seeing the army displays and the bike stunt team, and there is plenty to eat and drink.“Everything is just here.”

Teesside mum Vicky Gilmour was one of those attracted to the show by the world famous squadron and she has given the even the thumbs up

“It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be and I didn’t think there would be anywhere near the number of people that have arrived,” said Vicky, 39, of Ingleby Barwick.

“The kids are enjoying it and it is really good value for money.”

And Dad-of-two Lee Smith drove all the way from Cramlington for a day out with his family.

“I always take the children to the Sunderland Airshow and they love it so when I heard about this I thought I’d give it a go,” said the 35-year-old.

“It was worth the drive, the displays were breathtaking and while it isn’t cheap it is definitely worth it.

“It isn’t as big as the Sunderland show but for me it is a better size - it isn’t as squashed in and you get a better view of everything.